You don`t need fancy ingredients to make fancy polenta!
You don`t need fancy ingredients to make fancy polenta! is a easy Italian recipe that serves 4. 300 calories per serving. Recipe by Eklektična kuhinja on YouTube.
Prep: 5 min | Cook: 54 min | Total: 1 hr 19 min
Cost: $7.16 total, $1.79 per serving
Ingredients
- 4 cups Water (for boiling polenta)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (for seasoning the boiling water)
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (divided: 2 tbsp for boiling water, 1 tbsp for frying, 1 tbsp for rosemary‑garlic butter)
- 1 cup Polenta (coarse or medium‑coarse cornmeal)
- 0.25 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes (packed, roughly chopped)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (for brushing and frying the cakes)
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Rosemary (finely chopped)
- 1 clove Garlic (minced)
- 4 large Eggs (one per serving, for poaching)
- 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground, plus pinch for finishing)
Instructions
Prep Sun‑Dried Tomatoes
Roughly chop the packed sun‑dried tomatoes and set aside.
Time: PT5M
Cook Polenta
In a large pot bring 4 cups of water to a boil, add 1 tsp salt and 2 tbsp butter. Gradually whisk in 1 cup polenta and the chopped sun‑dried tomatoes. Reduce heat to low and whisk continuously for about 12‑15 minutes until the mixture is thick, creamy, and pulls away from the sides of the pot.
Time: PT15M
Temperature: 212°F
Chill Polenta Cakes
Spoon the hot polenta into ramekins or a greased muffin tin, filling each about ¾ full. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
Time: PT30M
Fry First Side
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium‑high heat. Unmold the chilled polenta cakes and place them in the hot oil. Fry for 3 minutes, or until the bottom is golden brown and crisp.
Time: PT3M
Temperature: 350°F
Add Rosemary‑Garlic Butter and Fry Other Side
Flip the cakes, add 1 tbsp butter, the minced garlic, and chopped rosemary to the pan. Fry the second side for another 3 minutes, basting the cakes with the infused butter until both sides are crispy and the butter is fragrant.
Time: PT3M
Temperature: 350°F
Poach Egg
In a small saucepan bring water to a gentle simmer (just below boiling). Add a splash of vinegar (optional). Crack a large egg into a small cup, then gently slide it into the water. Poach for 3 minutes for a runny yolk, then remove with a slotted spoon and set on a paper towel.
Time: PT3M
Temperature: 200°F
Assemble and Serve
Place a poached egg on top of each fried polenta cake. Spoon any remaining rosemary‑garlic butter over the egg, finish with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper, and serve immediately.
Time: PT2M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 300
- Protein
- 7 g
- Carbohydrates
- 23 g
- Fat
- 22 g
- Fiber
- 2 g
Dietary info: Vegetarian, Gluten‑Free
Allergens: Dairy, Egg
Last updated: April 15, 2026








